Headshot photographer can make or break your photo.
Choose the right photographer
Go to a professional, no matter how much money you want to save in the end, getting your headshots done with a professional will actually save you money. In this case you get what you pay for is quite accurate.
You don't want to go to just any professional photographer you want to make sure that they specialize in headshots or have a strong background in Headshots. Get your headshots taken with a photographer you are comfortable with.
When you are looking for a professional photographer for your Headshots one of the things you need to consider is their website.
To see their past work, you should visit that photographer’s website and look specifically for headshots. Ask a few questions such as ‘did the photographer capture the actor’s personality?’ ‘Is there a distracting background’ signifying that the photographer may not necessarily be specifically experienced with headshots for actors?
Do a quick search on Yelp or other web sites where people leave reviews and look for his positive and negative comments to determine if he has experience. Ask the photographer if they allow you to see your pictures during the session.
If you are able to see the pictures during the session, then you will get a better sense of what is working for you and what isn't working.
Photos may be retouched
...to some extent. When you take a headshot you can remove small blemishes but don't retouch your photo completely.
Prepare yourself
Prior to going to your headshot appointment prepare yourself at home with different positions and poses so that when you are in the headshot session you can be relaxed and feel prepared.
Try different types of smiles from big bright and shiny to half smile or a closed mouth smile. Choose the type of smile that looks most natural to you. You also need a dramatic or serious facial expression.
Use your eyes to communicate through the picture. Relax your hands and arms and never put them in your face. When you go take your headshot get into character.
If you are doing a smiley picture think of something fun, funny or of something that makes you smile. When you are taking the serious or dramatic shot think of something serious and dramatic, play the part.
Have fun
Even though this may be a stressful experience for a lot of you try to relax, breathe and have fun with it.
Find a list of professional photographers at the back of the book Getting an Agent in Texas. Break a leg!